The Care and Feeding of Stray Vampires

Iris Scanlon, Half-Moon Hollow's only daytime vampire concierge, knows more about the undead than she'd like. Running all their daylight errands - from letting in the plumber to picking up some chilled O neg - gives her a look at the not-so-glamorous side of vampire life. Her rules are strict; relationships with vamps are strictly business, not friendship - and certainly not anything else. But then she finds her newest client, Cal, poisoned on his kitchen floor, and only Iris can help.

In "Shades of Gray" by Katie MacAlister, Noelle is a Guardian: a demon-wrangler, imp-banisher, and all-round secret protector of humans from the Otherworld. In "Undead Sublet" by Molly Harper, executive chef Tess Maitland is banned from her five-star kitchen in Chicago to recover from "exhaustion". Jessica Sims's "Out With a Fang" features Ruby Sommers, a lonely were-jaguar who signs up for a blind date through the paranormal dating agency Midnight Liaisons.

Nice Girls Don't Have Fangs: Jane Jameson, Book 1

Maybe it was the Shenanigans gift certificate that put her over the edge. When children's librarian and self-professed nice girl Jane Jameson is fired by her beastly boss and handed $25 in potato skins instead of a severance check, she goes on a bender that's sure to become Half Moon Hollow legend. On her way home, she's mistaken for a deer, shot, and left for dead.

Where the Wild Things Bite

Delivering a rare book to a valued customer is definitely part of mild-mannered archivist Anna Whitfield's job description. You know what isn't? Protecting her precious cargo from midflight theft by the very pilot who is flying her to Half-Moon Hollow...while trying to appear as unappetizing as possible to the only other passenger, a vampire. Undead bookstore owner Jane Jameson could be waiting a very long time for her book. Possibly forever.

Big Vamp on Campus

Ophelia Lambert, 400-year-old vampire princess and college freshman, suddenly finds herself domesticated by humans and forced to suffer the indignities of dorm rooms, communal bathrooms, and a roommate with sticky fingers. As one of the hundreds of undead venturing into postsecondary education, Ophelia has a lot more to learn that just "undead studies" - she has to learn to get along with her fellow vampire classmates and, worst of all, her human ones.

Better Homes and Hauntings

When Nina Linden is hired to landscape a private island off the New England coast, she sees it as her chance to rebuild her failing business after being cheated by her unscrupulous ex. She never expects that her new client, software mogul Deacon Whitney, would see more in her than just a talented gardener. Deacon has paid top dollar to the crews he’s hired to renovate the desolate Whitney estate - he had to, because the bumps, thumps, and unexplained sightings of ghostly figures in 19th-century dress are driving workers away faster than he can say “Boo.”

And One Last Thing...

Lacey Terwilliger's shock and humiliation over her husband's philandering prompt her to add some bonus material to Mike's company newsletter: stunning Technicolor descriptions of the special brand of "administrative support" his receptionist gives him. The detailed mass e-mail to Mike's family, friends, and clients blows up in her face, and before one can say "instant urban legend", Lacey has become the pariah of her small Kentucky town and a media punch line....

Welcome to Nocturne Falls - the town that celebrates Halloween 365 days a year. Jayne Frost is a lot of things. Winter elf, Jack Frost's daughter, Santa Claus' niece, heir to the Winter Throne, and now...private investigator. Sort of. When she buys a sealed box at an estate sale and cat-related circumstances cause that box to be opened, life in Nocturne Falls starts to go haywire. Jayne has no choice but to figure out what she unleashed and how to recapture it.

The Werewolf's Christmas Wish: A Nocturne Falls Short

Welcome to Nocturne Falls, the town where Halloween is celebrated 365 days a year. The tourists think it's all a show: the vampires, the werewolves, the witches, the occasional gargoyle flying through the sky. But the supernaturals populating the town know better.

My Bluegrass Baby

Sadie Hutchins loves her job at the Kentucky Tourism Commission. Not only could her co-workers double as the cast of Parks and Recreation, but she loves finding the unusual sites, hidden gems, and just-plain-odd tourist attractions of her home state. She’s a shoo-in for the director’s job when her boss retires at the end of the year…until hotshot Josh Vaughn shows up to challenge her for the position. Josh is all sophisticated polish while Sadie’s country comfort, and the two have very different ideas of what makes a good campaign.

The Witch's Halloween Hero: A Nocturne Falls Short

Welcome to Nocturne Falls, the town that celebrates Halloween 365 days a year. The tourists think it's all a show: the vampires, the werewolves, the witches, the occasional gargoyle flying through the sky. But the supernaturals populating the town know better. When a spell goes wrong on the night of Samhain for witch Corette Williams, her only hope is the man she loves, Bartholomew Stanhill. But time is running out.

The Vampire's Valentine Surprise: A Nocturne Falls Short

Welcome to Nocturne Falls, the town that celebrates Halloween 365 days a year. When Delaney Ellingham enters the Nocturne Falls Valentine's Day Bake-Off, she has no idea that an old rival will create such havoc. Her husband, Hugh, and her friends all come to her aid, but even they can't guess the surprise that lies in store.

The Vampire's Mail Order Bride: Nocturne Falls, Book 1

After seeing her maybe-mobster boss murder a guy, Delaney James assumes a new identity and pretends to be a mail order bride. She finds her groom-to-be living in a town that celebrates Halloween every day. Weird. But not as weird as what she doesn't know. Her groom-to-be is a 400-year-old vampire.

The Shifter Romances the Writer: Nocturne Falls, Book 6

For romance writer Roxy St. James, living in Nocturne Falls also means a fresh start. And as soon as her unbearable ex signs the divorce papers, that new beginning will be a reality. Unfortunately, her ex doesn't seem ready to let her go and the subtle threats he's been making leave her no choice but to confide in her oh-so-handsome neighbor, who just happens to be a deputy with the sheriff's department. But Officer Alex Cruz isn't just the law. He's also a panther shifter, a secret he's sworn to keep.

Magically Delicious: Magic and Mayhem, Book 4

What does a hungry, pregnant witch do when her whole freaking town goes on a no-carb diet? I'll tell you what. She goes on the sly and conjures up some anchovy-chocolate chunk cookies dipped in hot sauce - that's what. Of course my cheating gets complicated when all of the magic in the world goes on the fritz. To solve that particular wrinkle, I'll have to finally find the source of the lurking evil.

Curse on the Land: Soulwood, Book 2

Before Nell Ingram met skinwalker Jane Yellowrock, she had no one to rely on, finding strength only in her arcane connection to the dark woods around her. But now she has friends in the newly formed PsyLED team to keep her grounded - even if being part of the agency responsible for policing paranormals comes with dangers of its own.

Miss Frost Solves a Cold Case: Jayne Frost, Book 1

Jayne Frost is a winter elf, Jack Frost's daughter, Santa Claus's niece, heir to the Winter Throne, and now private investigator. Needing someone he can trust, her father sends her to Nocturne Falls to find out why employees at a toy store are going missing. Doing that requires getting to know the town, which leads to interesting encounters with a sexy vampire, an old flame, and an elevator that's strictly off-limits. The more Jayne finds out, the more questions she has, but the answers lead her deeper into danger.

Fashionably Dead

Vampyres don't exist. They absolutely do not exist. At least I didn't think they did 'til I tried to quit smoking and ended up Undead. Who in the hell did I screw over in a former life that my getting healthy equates with dead? Now I'm a Vampyre. Yes, we exist whether we want to or not. However, I have to admit, the perks aren't bad. My girls no longer jiggle, my ass is higher than a kite, and the latest Prada keeps finding its way to my wardrobe.

A Little Night Magic

Olivia Kiskey needs a change. She’s been working at the same Nodaway Falls, New York, waffle house since she was a teenager; not a lot of upward mobility there. She’s been in love with Tobias, the cook, for the last four years; he's never made a move. Intent on shaking things up, Olivia puts her house on the market, buys a one-way ticket to Europe, and announces her plans to her friends - but then she meets Davina Granville, a strange and mystical Southern woman....

Heart of Fire: A Fantasy Romance

Eager to find her place in the world and understand the frightening gifts she's been born with, Jessalyne Brandborn leaves her sheltered life to become apprentice to the most powerful sorceress in Shaldar. She hires Ertemis, the deadliest man in the realm, to get there. With the Legion's bounty on his head, dark elf Ertemis is reluctant to escort Jessalyne but needs the money she offers - especially if he's ever to find out who his father is.

Magic Binds: Kate Daniels, Book 9

Mercenary Kate Daniels knows all too well that magic in post-Shift Atlanta is a dangerous business. But nothing she's faced could have prepared her for this.... Kate and the former Beast Lord Curran Lennart are finally making their relationship official. But there are some steep obstacles standing in the way of their walk to the altar.... Kate's father, Roland, has kidnapped the demigod Saiman and is slowly bleeding him dry in his never-ending bid for power.

The Curse of Tenth Grave: A Novel

As a part-time PI and full-time grim reaper, Charley Davidson has asked a lot of questions throughout her life: Why can I see dead people? Who is the hot supernatural entity following me? How do I get gum out of my sister's hair before she wakes up? But "how do I trap not one malevolent god but three?" was never among them. Until now. And since those gods are on earth to kill her daughter, she has little choice but to track them down, trap them, and cast them from this dimension. There's just one problem. One of the three stole her heart a very long time ago.

Dead Ground: Harbinger P.I., Book 4

When my old friend Jim Walker asks me to fly up to Canada and take a look at a strange murder case, it sounds like a good excuse for barbecue and brewskis. But the party gets crashed by a pit-load of demons and things take a turn for the worse. Throw a faerie queen and a couple of ancient vampires into the mix and you've got a recipe for disaster.

Publisher's Summary

Nola Leary would have been content to stay in Kilcairy, Ireland, healing villagers at her family’s clinic with a mix of magic and modern medicine. But a series of ill-timed omens and a deathbed promise to her grandmother have sent her on a quest to Half-Moon Hollow, Kentucky, to secure her family’s magical potency for the next generation. Her supernatural task? To unearth four artifacts hidden by her grandfather before a rival magical family beats her to it.

Complication One: The artifacts are lost somewhere in vampire Jane Jameson’s occult bookshop. Complication Two: Her new neighbor, Jed Trudeau, keeps turning up half-naked at the strangest times, a distraction Nola doesn’t need. And teaming up with a real-life Adonis is as dangerous as it sounds, especially since Jed’s got the face of an angel and the abs of a washboard. Can Nola complete her mission before falling completely under his spell?

Amanda Ronconi is amazing reading Molly Harper's words. I have to say I have already read the book in paperback and just got the audiobook today and as soon as I heard the way Amanda does Nola's Boston/Irish accent it made me so very happy that she was doing the narrating. Being someone who lives near Boston I laughed a lot at the accent because I hear it all the time. I also love how she can just flow from this off beat Boston/Irish accent to a smooth Tennessee twang when the Characters of Nola the main witch on a mission and Jed the neighbor are talking to each other. I already really liked the book because I love a good scavenger hunt and that is pretty much what Nola has to do throughout the book. I also love when there is a sexy next door neighbor that has trouble keeping his shirt on and funny vampire friends who if you have read the Nice Girl books you know their history already and it just makes certain situations that much funnier. This is again another outstanding Molly Harper book that I will read and listen to again and again.

I love Amanda but in this narration I don't know that she actually hit the accents quite like they should have been! Over all the story was a-typical Molly Harper and I am so happy to have another book of hers to read especially one so rich with Jane Jameson involved!!! What a lovely twist!!!

I hope the Half Moon Hollow books continue. this one has more of Jane and friends than some of the others, plus lots of two new characters. I'm never sure of the books because I'm not into what the covers imply. However the stories inside are outstanding. And an exceptional narration by Amanda Ronconi. This story adds some witchcraft into the usual vampire community. I hope these new characters stick around for more stories! These are "feel good" books with a lot of story and not heavy into the explicit sex as some "romances" get. Lots of plot and some mystery and conflict. This story began with a jump start as the lead character found a possum in a kitchen cupboard. "Rat on steroids" as she calls it. I must agree with her on that - when I saw my first possum (or opossum if you prefer) 30 years ago I also thought "giant rat". The woman was fresh from a shower and wearing only a towel when she ran outside and wrapped herself around the guy working in the back yard of the duplex. What a way to meet the neighbor! don't want to give any more away. As usual, lots of laughs and some tears in Molly Harper's excellent book.

I'm a HUGE Molly Harper and Amanda Ronconi fan, but the narration is terrible in this...sometimes she speaks with an Irish accent, sometimes a Boston one, and sometimes none...you can't even follow the story because your brain is trying to wrap around her voice...sooooo disappointing!!!

Going with her half moon hollow theme, Nola travels from Ireland to HMH Kentucky in search of 4 artifacts she needs to find to restore balance to her family. I didn't even have to think before I clicked buy because I know anything the DYNAMIC DUO produce will be worth buying. This book is fun, exciting, funny & made me lol more than a few times. Several references to other characters from different books was a pleasure too. The only thing I had a difficult time with, was when I first started listening to the book I had to triple check it was Amanda Ronconi due to her using the Irish accent for Nola. After confirming it was Ronconi I just sat back and enjoyed. The accent was a bit off putting at first but after the first chapter it was hardly an issue. Most definitely worth a credit. Just make sure you read her books in order or it could get confusing. You don't have to but you will miss out on some of the jokes.Ok, quit reading this and go click buy!!

I have Loved Every Molly Harper book and this one is no exception. I have to say I laughed more from this book than any other Molly book and that is saying something.

It was nice that the "Jane Jameson cast" was featured and Nola was truly refreshing. Nola is sent to the Hollow for 4 objects and after meeting Jane and the gang she sets out in search of them. Of course the funny mishaps and corky characters I have come to expect for a Molly book comes across strong and the new characters she features have there own voice. The book moves along every quickly and sadly for me, It's quick read means I'm now finished with it.

I was at first weird-ed out that Amanda Ronconi has an accent for Nola and carries it through the whole book but after 5 minutes in to the book it felt right. I have to say that Amanda is always great but she out did herself with all the accents. I know that she doesn't have a true Boston/Irish accent but then again what would that sound like? they are so at odds with each other. But the accent she does use is very distinct and set Nola apart from any other character that Amanda has done.

Yes, I am willing to try another book from the author with this narrator - I am usually a big fan of both Molly Harper's books and Amanda Ronconi's narration but this narration fell short for me.

Would you be willing to try another book from Molly Harper? Why or why not?

Yes - she's always a funny writer and balances the romance novel aspect with lots of magic/humor which is why I like her!

Did Amanda Ronconi do a good job differentiating all the characters? How?

Good differentiation - bad choice for accents. The main character sounded like an awful version of South Boston mixed with Long Island/the Nanny as opposed to an Irish lilt. Her Southern accents and standard reading voice were great but her accent for the main character while definitely distinctive was really unpleasant and off-target,

I think this was my very first pre-order. Molly Harper's books are always light, funny, and utterly enjoyable but Driving Mr. Dead has always been my favorite. When I saw a second book in the Half-Moon Hollow series I was thrilled. And aside from waiting for the release, Witch's Handbook did not let me down.

The story follows Nola Leary as she leaves Ireland to search for her family's magical artifacts in Half-Moon Hollow, Kentucky. In traditional Molly Harper style, she's introduced to her sexy, shirtless neighbor via a coon in the cabinet. While she's wearing a towel. There are, of course, complications. Nola has a relationship back home, she's only in town to save her family's magic, and Jed has some secrets of his own. Aside from the random raccoon, this story has considerably less hijinks than the others, but I liked it. In her search for the artifacts, Nola meets Jane, Andrea, Dick, and all your favorite vampire/werewolf locals. Hilarity ensues, romance wins, and everything works out in the end (mostly). This is why I love Molly Harper's books. They are just plain fun.

I feel like I have to mention the narration on this one. I love Amanda Ronconi. I think she's one of the top narrators out there and absolutely perfect for Harper's characters. However, her Boston/Irish accent threw me at first. I don't think she was doing it wrong, I just think it's an odd combination. I saw several comments in the other reviews, but it didn't bother me after the first few minutes. Don't let it sway you, pick this one up.

STORY (fantasy/romance) - This is the usual clever story I've come to expect from Molly. It isn't my favorite, but it's still really good. The Publisher's Summary pretty much covers what I have to say about the story, and to add more would be giving something away. There are some unexpected twists in the story, and the ending is adorable.

PERFORMANCE - As other reviewers have commented, Amanda is totally off on this performance. Some kind of Boston/Irish accent that she does sporadically. It's a bit distracting but doesn't ruin the cute story.

OVERALL - Recommended for females only. Contains a sprinkling of F-words and a couple sex scenes which are short but not very explicit. This is Book 2 of the series, but the story stands alone. Some of the characters will be familiar, however, if you've listened to Book 1.

What does Amanda Ronconi bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

When I started listening to the book I wondered what happened to Amanda Ronconi's usual excellence because she had the main character using a bizarre sort of mild Irish, sort of Boston accent. A few chapters in you find out that her accent is exactly how the author describes it. Once I knew it was skill, not lack there of I found it less distracting and was able to really enjoy the story.

I really enjoyed this book and was happy to learn Mr Wainwright had more family then he knew! I just wish he'd known about his granddaughter as he really would have loved her!

As always Molly Harper injects a good dose of humour in her books! I love Nola's feisty attitude and she fits in well with Jane's group! I also loved Jed and was intrigued by his abilities, I wish there could be another story with them so that maybe we could learn more about what kind of supernatural he is, if he ever finds out himself!

I loved the story and liked the resolution, that's another element of the story I'd love to learn the outcome of too. Does the treaty get worked out and does it hold up? Maybe Ms Harper will do a novella with Jane's crew taking a trip to Ireland to visit with Nola? I'd love if she did

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

L

3/10/16

Overall

Performance

Story

"Okay"

I enjoyed this book, however the voice for the main female character was very annoying. I can understand why the narrator had a problems with this character, her foreign accents aren't great at the best of times so being confronted with a character that has an accent that is both Irish and Bostonian must have been a really task. The result was horrible. Apart from that the story was good.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Ian Smith

8/10/14

Overall

Performance

Story

"New story involving familar characters"

Any additional comments?

Entertaining and engaging, and amusing to hear other characters from previous stories seen through the eyes of a new narrator. I found her a teeny bit slow on the uptake at times, and her Irish dialogue didn't quite ring true, but a US readership probably wouldn't notice that. Wondered why she was aware of were creatures, but the one character who was a werewolf wasn't mentioned in that context.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Ms. J. Beach

england

12/20/13

Overall

Performance

Story

"Great Story. will keep you listening"

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

Time well spent listening. no messing around with the story just straight to the point.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Jed because we all love a mysterious hunk of a man to rescue you.

Who might you have cast as narrator instead of Amanda Ronconi?

Anyone with a real Irish accent, but i have to say she gave it her all.

Did A Witch's Handbook of Kisses and Curses inspire you to do anything?

no.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

EC W

Hove, United Kingdom

10/1/13

Overall

Performance

Story

"Horrible Irish Accent but very funny"

Bless Amanda Ronconi for giving it her best shot, but her imitation Irish accent got thicker and thinner ... frankly it waxed and waned all over the place! OK so there was some excuse as her character's accent was also apparently from "all over the place" but still.

Other than that, I found this book a light, fluffy, easy listen with some genuinely funny bits that had me laughing my way through an enormous amount of jumble sale sorting. The plot twists weren't particularly challenging but it was really good fun. Also, I like the Half Moon Hollow series and it was nice to meet some people who are alive for a change!

I've been smirking about the Armadillo monster for some time now. How often can you say that??

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Antoinette

Chalfont St Giles, United Kingdom

6/30/13

Overall

Performance

Story

"Wierd accent but engaging story"

I really look forward to Molly Harper books for a great escapist break from reality. And Amanda Ronconi is a great narrator, but the accent was VERY strange for Nola. I was picking up bits of Australian... then Boston then, Ireland, really disturbing.

Jed seemed a bit to dim to be the romantic interest, but the cosy Hollow friendships are always comforting - if only real life was full of financial windfalls and friends that would do anything for you.... ah Fantasy is great.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

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